God graciously offers us new beginnings…by Brett Martin
As we stand on the edge of a new year, many of us feel a sense of anticipation. A new year carries with it the hope of fresh starts—new opportunities, renewed vision, and dreams waiting to be born.
You’ve probably heard it said that life can be viewed as a glass half full or half empty. I’ll be honest—over the years, it’s often been easier for me to see the glass half empty. Holly, on the other hand, has always had a way of seeing it half full. But no matter where we land, the truth is this: God graciously offers us new beginnings. And so much of what we experience flows from our perspective.
Jeremiah understood this deeply. In the middle of sorrow and hardship, he made a choice—a choice to hope. In Lamentations 3:21–23, he writes:
“Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.”
Then he declares, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him.”
A new year can also stir up painful realities—areas where we long for freedom but still feel stuck. For some, that pain may involve hidden struggles, including sexual addiction, shame, or patterns that feel overwhelming and isolating. Yet even here, perspective matters deeply. When we fix our eyes on God rather than on our failure, we begin to see that freedom is not found through willpower alone, but through honest surrender, grace, and daily dependence on Him. God’s mercies truly are new every morning, and that means each day brings fresh hope for healing, restoration, and real freedom. No matter how long the struggle has lasted, a heart turned toward the Lord can begin again.
As we move into this new year—with all our plans, goals, and resolutions—may we intentionally fix our eyes and hearts on God. Real joy and lasting hope are found only in Jesus.
More than anything else, let’s pay attention to the posture of our hearts. A humble, grateful, and thankful heart makes room for God’s Spirit to work in us. That kind of heart brings healing to our own souls—and it shines as salt and light in a world that is weary, searching, and longing for hope.
A Prayer for the New Year
“Lord, as we step into this new year, we thank You for Your faithfulness that never fails and for mercies that are new every morning. We bring You our hopes and dreams, as well as our pain, our struggles, and the places where we long for freedom. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on You and our hearts tender before You. Shape our perspective so that we see through the lens of Your grace rather than our fear or shame. Give us humble, thankful hearts, and lead us gently into healing, renewal, and deeper trust in You. May our lives reflect Your light and love in a world that is longing for hope. We place this new year—and ourselves—into Your loving hands. Amen.”